Nellie Duran

Nellie Duran passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 19th, 2010. She was born November 9th, 1925 in Tempe, Arizona to Felipe and Sista Sanchez. Nellie was raised in St. Johns and Concho Arizona where she received her education. Her family moved to Clifton, Arizona where she obtained employment as a waitress at a local restaurant working for the late Louise Melendez. There, she met her future husband to be Joe E. Duran. They were married on May 21st, 1945, a union that lasted 47 yrs. To this union seven children were born. Nellie and Joe loved all their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. Nellie loved to garden, but her greatest love was playing Bingo and occasional trips to the casino. On Sundays you would catch her watching her Dallas Cowboys playing football. She also enjoyed watching the Diamond Backs play. She is survived by five daughters, Luisa (Jerry) Gonzales, Alice Cisneros, Terry (Eddie) Vallejo, Lupe Duran and Connie Johnson, two sons Joe and John Duran, 18 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews, along with her siblings Benita Rios, Juanita Sanchez, and Jose Sanchez, Macario Sanchez, and Carmen Renteria. Nellie was preceded in death by her loving husband Joe Duran and her parents. Memorial services will be held December 10th, 2010. Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. and mass will follow at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Clifton Arizona with Father Bardo Antunez celebrant. A Christian interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Nellie will greatly be missed by her family and friends.